Achraf Lazaar has refused to shut the door on his career at Newcastle United - but admits he must grasp his chance with Serie A side Benevento during his season long-loan deal.

The Morocco international has denied making negative comments about Rafa Benitez and the Magpies following an interview in Italy last week.

Lazaar made his debut for Benevento during a 1-0 home defeat against Torino at the weekend but wanted to make it clear there had been no parting shot after leaving Newcastle until the end of the season.

Lazaar told Chroniclelive : “I did an interview with somebody in Italy.

“The report came out badly.

“I said nothing bad, but things got changed in the article.

“It wasn’t good.

“People who know me should know what I said and think.

“I would never say anything bad against Rafa Benitez or Newcastle United.

“I love Newcastle.

“I signed a contract at Newcastle for five years.

“They are a big team, and maybe I will come back.”

However, Lazaar was disappointed that his move from Palermo to Newcastle just over a year ago didn’t work out and is now keen to get games under his belt in Italy.

After playing just 37 minutes in the Championship, Lazaar said: “It was difficult for me because for one year I hardly played.

“I did not get a run of games, not even four or five matches in a row and that made me difficult to find a team.

“Everybody wondered why I didn’t play last year and what had happened or was there a problem.